i'm certainly sorry that you feel uncomfortable or discouraged enough that you're withdrawing from the conversation. i don't think anyone here is taking anything personally, but (it happens that) your opinion on this particular thing is widely divergent from the opinion of those who have expressed themselves on this thread at this time. because you've got a lot of differing opinions in response to the posts you've made, it may seem like people here are taking it personally (the volume and the 180-degree difference in opinion might make it feel so to you), but, truly, i don't see anyone on this thread taking it personally. just expressing strong surprise at the (strongly) divergent opinion. also, i don't think that anyone is particularly bothered that you have a divergent opinion -- i think it comes down to surprise, because that's not the assessment of most who've expressed opinions on this thread.

i think part of the issue in the discussion is the use of "absolute statements" --- like, "let's at least be honest here," and similar. when something is cast in phrasing like that, it implies that the people who disagree with you are not being honest. and i don't think that's the case at all. people just saw the scene a different way than you did, and received the actor's performance a different way than you did.

i think it's great that you have an opinion, and you are sharing it and we're exploring our differences. we've been very successful so far in doing all of this politely, despite the fact that the opinions are very different, and that's a credit to everyone here (which absolutely includes you).

i think it's natural that you're getting the lion's share of feedback / responses to posts on this thread, just due to the fact that you've expressed a widely divergent opinion, and have pretty strong feelings about it. if it's come across that folks are singling you out, that's unfortunate, but i can understand how it might seem. i think that's just what happens in a situation like this.

again, everyone here has been polite and engaging, and that's been great. i personally thank you for sticking with it and elaborating, especially if you did so past the point at which you might have been comfortable.

ok. now i think i'm going to start a thread on faramir. (that's a little joke with a nod to you, btw, as upthread you expressed not liking the character / performance at all. : ) )

. aka. fili orc-enshield +++++++++++++++++++ the scene, as i understand it, is exceptionally well-written. fili (in sort of a callback to the scene with the eagles), calls out "thorRIIIIIIN!!!" just as he sees the pale orc veer in for the kill. he picks up the severed arm of an orc which is lying on the ground, swings it up in desperation, effectively blocking the pale orc's blow. and thus, forever after, fili is known as "fili orc-enshield."

this earns him deep respect from his hard-to-please uncle. as well as a hug. kili wipes his boots on the pale orc's glory box. -- maciliel telpemairo